Shoshinkan

Shoshinkan Dojo is the oldest running Aikido dojo in Rhode Island. Founded in 1998 and affiliated with the Aikido Association of America.

We are a community of martial artists dedicated to the study of Aikido. Our Dojo name Shoshinkan was given to us by Fumio Toyoda Shihan and can be translated as the place of the beginners mind.

This beginners mind or perspective is especially important in regards to our martial training and personal lives. How often do our minds trick us into believing we’ve learned all we can know about any given topic, pursuit or scenario? This beginners mind is fresh, open and eager to learn without fear of making mistakes.

Another interpretation provided to us by Kengo Hatayama Shihan is honest mind or correct mind. When pressed further he explained shoshin is when a person finds a lost wallet and only thinks of returning it intact to its owner without hesitation. These definitions of shoshin are what we as a dojo or community have slowly over time and patient practice matured into.

This maturity has lead us to maintain high technical standards and rebuke the commercialism often seen in American martial arts. We adhere to the traditional aspects of martial training, which requires strong emphasis on form and etiquette leading to a true understanding of the martial way.

Join us in the spirit of shoshin.

Class Schedule

Tuesday

Thursday

Saturday

6:30 – 7:30pm(intoductory)
7:30 – 9pm(7th Kyu+)

6:30 – 8pm(7th Kyu+)

10 – 11am(introductory)
11 – 12:30pm(7th Kyu+)

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Thank you for your interest in Aikido, a modern distillation of the traditional martial arts of Japan. Aikido training can be seen as a way to not only develop as a martial artist but to transform into a balanced human being by emphasizing mind-body unification and forging the spirit through the exploration of one’s primal nature.

Please join us for a few classes at your convenience ($10.00 per class ). We can discuss your long term training goals after you have had reasonable amount of time and experience with Aikido.

Beginners classes for ages 12 & up are held on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30PM and Saturdays from 10 to 11AM.